Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will hold a special meeting with ministers on October 12 to review drought conditions and the reported impact of El Niño on rainfall, water availability and electricity demand across the state. The meeting will focus on immediate measures for areas that have received less rain and are facing pressure on agricultural, irrigation and drinking-water supplies.
According to a report by Deccan Chronicle, Telangana has recorded 17 per cent less rainfall than normal, with drought conditions prevailing in approximately 235 mandals. The state government is expected to discuss the difficulties faced by farmers and the immediate support required in affected areas.
The review will cover agriculture, irrigation water, drinking-water supply and the increase in electricity demand linked to the conditions. These issues are connected across the state’s rural and urban systems: reduced rainfall can affect farm production and irrigation requirements, while drinking-water systems and power utilities may face additional demand during dry periods.
The state Cabinet has already held extensive discussions on the drought situation. The government has also passed a resolution in the Assembly seeking adequate financial assistance from the Centre. It has requested a special package of Rs. 20,000 crore to respond to the reported impact of the drought conditions.
The October 12 meeting will consider supportive measures for drought-affected areas and review the action plan prepared by the Cabinet Sub-Committee. The government will also discuss the proposed all-party meeting and inputs from farmers’ associations and experts from different sectors.
The review comes as the state seeks to translate the reported rainfall deficit and the identification of drought-affected mandals into administrative and financial measures. The available report does not specify the final allocation sought from the Centre, the mandal-wise distribution of water stress, or the timelines for implementing the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s action plan.
The Chief Minister-chaired meeting is expected to determine the next steps on support measures, water management, electricity requirements and the state’s request for central assistance. Further action will depend on the decisions taken after the October 12 review and on consultations with political parties, farmer organisations and sector experts.
